The eleventh song, “Heated,” has drawn criticism from disability rights activists who claim that some of the lyrics are incredibly offensive and disrespectful. Beyoncé sings, “Spazzin’ on that a–, spazz on that a–,” in the song.
According to John Hopkins Medicine, spasticity is “abnormal muscular tightness caused to prolonged muscle contraction.” The most typical muscle affected by the brain injury symptom, which can cause discomfort, deformity, and incapacity, is the leg muscle.
Beyoncé’s spokesperson has confirmed that the lyrics in her song “Heated” that utilize the disparaging term “spaz” would be modified.
The statement reads, “The word, not purposefully used in a detrimental way, shall be replaced.”
RENAISSANCE… pic.twitter.com/b8HYlHD2yU
— BEYONCÉ (@Beyonce) July 29, 2022
Disability activists expressed their disapproval of Beyoncé’s use of the term online. These activists included advocate Hannah Diveney, who called the use of the term “ableist” in an opinion piece published in The Guardian, and the disability advocacy group Sense, which posted on social media that it was “disappointing” to see the celebrity use the term in the first place.
Beyoncé’s decision to take the lyric out of her song follows Lizzo’s decision in June to take the same word out of the tune “GRRRLS” off of her fourth studio album Special.
Lizzo wrote, “It has been pointed out to me that the term “GRRRLS” in my most recent song contains offensive language. Let me be clear about one thing: I never wish to encourage offensive language, “she said at the time in a statement. Because of the harmful remarks that have been directed at me as a fat Black woman in America, I am aware of the influence that words may have intentionally or as was the case with me, unwittingly.
Photo Credit DFree
Celebrity Beyoncé announces ‘Renaissance’ set for July release
